South Korea forms working group for Olympic Esports Games

The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC) has announced the formation of a working group in preparation for the Olympic Esports Games (OEG), a global event by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

According to the translation of a press release, the working group aims to study the feasibility of hosting the OEG in South Korea, while fostering national teams.

The group consists of the Korea Sports Council, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, sports organisations, academia, and experts in the esports and gaming industries.

“Through the operation of this working group, we plan to strengthen the connection between traditional sports and esports, and seek ways for the Korean esports and game industry to develop in harmony with the international sports stage,” KSOC Chairman Yoo Seung-min stated.

The formation of the group follows South Korea’s lawmakers pushing to host the OEGs in light of the International Olympic Committee and Saudi Arabia cancelling a 12-year deal.

South Korea has been a popular hub for esports, featuring some of the most popular players and events in the ecosystem. Tournaments surrounding the most competitive esports titles, such as First Stand for League of Legends and PUBG Nations Cup, were held in the country’s capital, Seoul.

Back in July 2024, the 142nd IOC session approved the creation of the OEG, a planned international multi-esports event combining the Olympic and competitive gaming worlds. The choice was made following the reception of the Olympic Esports Week held in Singapore back in 2023.

The inaugural OEG was originally scheduled to take place in 2025, though it was pushed back to 2027. Additionally, the committee has since named the Esports World Cup Foundation as a founding partner to help build the event.

Similar to events such as the Esports World Cup, the OEGs are set to feature multiple competitive games, though the full catalogue of esports titles has yet to be confirmed.